Protesters demand investigation of Slovak reporter slaying

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Tens of thousands have taken to Slovak streets for anti-government protests amid a political crisis triggered by the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee.

Those who protested on Sunday in Bratislava and the eastern town of Humenne are demanding an independent investigation into the Feb. 21 shooting deaths of Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova.

Prime Minister Robert Fico’s three-party coalition stepped down after large street protests sparked by the deaths. Kuciak was investigating possible widespread government corruption. A newly appointed Cabinet comprises the same three parties that made up Fico’s government.

Many think the changes have not gone far enough.

In particular, the demonstrators are calling for the dismissal of the national police chief, Tibor Gaspar, and Dusan Kovacik, the chairman of a special prosecution dealing with corruption.